Seeking Resin System With Two Crosslinking Kinetics

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• A technology

A SpecialChem Client is seeking a resin system that is capable of providing “fast” and “slow” curing mechanisms under mild conditions.

The first curing mechanism sets the resin in the proper shape and the second delivers the desired mechanical strength.

A SpecialChem Client is providing resins for non-consistent conditions of application. These difficult conditions often lead to low monomer conversion, buildup of internal strain and other issues that can cause mechanical fragility

To improve the final mechanical properties of this resin, the SpecialChem Client is looking at a system that can adapt to complex shapes in variable conditions. The sought system will allow users to easily adapt the resin to the form, and let the resin adapt itself to the complex environment and shape.

Estimated market for targeted application is 2-5 tons per year. 

The first curing stage is fast, triggered on demand, capable of setting the resin in the proper shape, capable of producing non-tacky and non-sticky surface and providing adequate mechanical strength to prevent any distortions until the second stage of cure is completed.

The second stage delivers the final mechanical properties, while minimizing the residual mechanical stresses in the material by acting slowly and allowing the matrix to relax.

The second stage must offer significantly increased monomer conversion to improve long term stability expectations.

Time requirements: first stage, less than 30 seconds; second stage, several minutes up to a few hours.

• Both stages must be capable of proceeding in the presence of moisture and air at temperatures of generally less than 40°C.
• The solution should be optically transparent and substantially colorless; a slight discoloration may be acceptable.
• Ideally, the solution would be a single component formulation, i.e. it does not require mixing prior to application; however, two-component formulations such as common base/catalyst or resin/hardener type system would be acceptable.
• Minimum shrinkage or expansion upon setting, ideally less than 1 %.
• The solution should be non-toxic, non-mutagenic and non-carcinogenic.
• The solution should not require special storage considerations (e.g. refrigeration).

• The solution could utilize two distinct initiation mechanisms – fast and slow, e.g. photo-initiation and chemical cure.
• The solution could also rely on a single initiation mechanism if the rate of cure changes over time to ensure the “two-stage” behavior.
• Hybrid polymerization systems may be used.

• Systems that are sensitive to moisture and/or require inert gas atmosphere.
• Systems that require temperatures exceeding 40°C or aggressive conditions such as e.g. ionizing radiation for curing.
• Materials with known carcinogenicity or mutagenicity risks.

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